Two who made surprising discoveries were both under the power of the wicked one, who has different ways of exercising his influence. We will speak first of one who was a spectacle of misery, dwelling among the tombs. He was so exceeding fierce that travelers dreaded to pass that way. So ungovernable was he that men could neither bind him nor tame him!
The other man lived in modern times, and his company was sought by thousands. He was "well read," as it is called, and of very great influence. But he too was under the power of the wicked one. Under Satanic influence, his heart was thoroughly set against God as revealed in Christ. He was one of those described in 2 Cor. 4:3, 43But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3‑4): "If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
The first of these, when approached by the Savior, regarded Him as a "tormentor," and wanted to have nothing to do with Him. With a loud voice, he cried, "What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God Most High? I beseech Thee, torment me not.”
The truth was that Jesus had come from heaven, as sent by God the Father, to express His good pleasure in blessing man, and to secure his deliverance from the powers of darkness. A little later, this poor victim of the oppressor's power personally proved the reality of this deliverance. Those who heard of it, and went to see what was done, found that the devils had departed out of him and the man was sitting at the feet of Jesus, "clothed, and in his right mind." The One he had dreaded as his tormentor had now become his great Deliverer and attraction. Indeed, when Jesus was leaving, he expressed his longing desire to go with Him. What a surprising discovery was his! But instead of taking him, Jesus left him to bear witness of Him to others. "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Mark 5:18, 1918And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:18‑19).
The other surprising discovery was made by the notorious French infidel, Mirabeau. It is reported that when he felt his end was approaching, he said to a personal friend: "All that can now be done is to envelop oneself in perfumes, cover oneself with flowers, surround oneself with music, and then sink quietly into everlasting sleep!”
He had long held and taught that death ended everything. But that last enemy had laid hold of him and now he made a surprising discovery; at least it was one that surprised those who were watching at his deathbed. "My tortures are insupportable," he exclaimed. "I have still within me a hundred years of strength; and not a moment's courage!”
But why had he any need of courage? Courage to fall quietly to sleep? How could that be? A man in his prison cell who has to appear before the judge the following day, may well dread having to listen to sworn witnesses, to the verdict of the jury, and the sentence of the judge. He well may not be able to sleep, although it is the waking, not the sleeping, for which he needs courage. But Mirabeau had long maintained that death is an eternal sleep, and had even repeated it on his dying bed; yet, when he actually came to it, he had not an atom of courage for it.
What a solemn reality of waking up was his! It was the verdict pronounced on the "fearful and unbelieving" that he lacked courage for. What a contrast was this poor unbeliever's "torture insupportable" to the "joy unspeakable" which is the prospect of everyone who really knows and loves the Lord Jesus Christ! Reader, are you one of them? Do not rest another hour without a saving knowledge of Christ. You have a history that will come to an end, and a conscience that cannot be bribed into silence. Nothing can satisfy an accusing conscience but the precious blood of Jesus Cleansed by that blood, the dying believer sweetly falls asleep in Jesus and joyfully awakes in His likeness. But those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord for His own will be caught up to meet Him in the air. What a glad surprise awaits them!